The school founded in a Kenyan slum by a retired Kokomo teacher has not been touched by violence that has swept the African nation since the Dec. 27 elections.
The Associated Press reported that more than 500 people have died in protests and ethnic violence since the elections and ensuing vote tally that foreign observers say was rigged. Another 255,000 Kenyans have been driven from their homes by the violence in the east African country, which has been known as one of the most stable in the region.
The election returned President Mwai Kibaki to power for another five-year term.
Jan Hinkle, who founded Bright Star School in November 2003, said her school is in a different slum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capitol, than the slum where the violence has taken place.
She spoke to the Rev. John Andirah, the Kenyan pastor who leads her school, last Friday, and “we’re all safe and sound ... He says things are at peace now.”
Hinkle said food costs have skyrocketed, because truckers are afraid to be on the road. Those who are working are charging much higher prices.
For example, she said, potatoes have gone up from 150 shillings to 550 shillings. In American dollars, that represents an increase from about $2.50 to $9.15.
Despite the increased costs, “our children at Bright Star do have food,” she said.
The pastor has hired a second night watchman and the electricity and water is back on.
According to the AP, economic inequality has been a major factor in the unrest, in addition to the election. Many of the poorest Kenyans supported Kibaki’s opponent, Raila Odinga.
“These unemployed young men are hungry and desperate. This gives them a great reason to loot. Not all the violence is at the government because of the election,” she said.
Hinkle said she did not hear from the pastor for three days after the violence began. She usually receives regular e-mail bulletins, but the government shut down e-mail.
One of her friends finally called his cell phone to see how the school had fared, and then he called her Friday.
Hinkle said protests are not unusual in Nairobi, and she once had to run from police shooting tear gas into a crowd during a political revolt. What has been unusual this time is the level of violence, including the burning of a church that killed at least 50 people.
Despite the recent violence, Hinkle plans to return to her school in March, taking a group of volunteers from Indiana. Another group, including volunteers from two Kokomo churches, will go in May, and she’ll take another group that includes nurses and teachers in June.
Hinkle said she’s not worried, because the violence is not aimed at tourists, just members of the tribes involved in the protests. She does not believe any of those involved want to hurt children.
“I know God is a merciful God. You have to have faith when you’re 8,000 miles away that God is going to protect them,” she said. “They might try to steal from the school, and that’s happened before, but they aren’t going to hurt children. If anyone were to hurt a child at Bright Star, I’m sure the residents of the slum would come to their defense. It’s not like the kids are out there on their own.”
Local News
Related Photos
Related Links
Discussion
Kenyan school escapes violence
School founded by Kokomo native remains safe.
- Local News
-
-
Police searching Wabash County landfill for missing Kokomo woman
Kokomo police are searching a Wabash County landfill in hopes of finding a woman missing since last July.
-
Former Kokomo resident finds new life after war injury
Injured in 2005 during his third deployment to Iraq in three years, former Kokomo resident Joel Hunt nearly lost his will to live.
He joined the Army after graduating from Northwestern High School in 1998. Seven years later, he was injured by a road-side blast that left him with a severe traumatic brain injury.
-
Chrysler workers collect bonuses
Chrysler Group LLC collectively has paid several million dollars extra to its hourly workers in Kokomo.
Members of United Auto Workers received up to $1,500 each from their first profit-sharing bonuses since 2005, Rich Boruff, president of United Auto Workers Local 685, said Friday.
-
Questions surround discovery
The discovery of human remains along the Mississinewa River in Grant County has left investigators with more questions than answers regarding the ongoing search for a missing Noblesville woman.
-
Slate of candidates set for May primary election
Republican parties in Howard, Miami and Tipton counties have a number of contested races in congressional and county offices in the May 8 primary election.
-
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Noblesville police are trying to determine if the remains of a woman found Thursday along the Mississinewa River near Marion are those of missing Noblesville woman Dorothy Heard.
-
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
-
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
-
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
-
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Police searching Wabash County landfill for missing Kokomo woman
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
